When is it time?

[lifesabitchandthenyoudie]

How do you know when it's time to say goodbye? My trusty mare is at best guess 27; Part Arab, part New Forest. Fully retired and just living in a field with her old friend, a section A, and my 'new' ride. I got a shock today when I visited as she was looking so sad/dejected/out of it. It got me wondering when I should call the vet. She's not ill, as far as I can tell. She did have a touch of laminitis over the summer and her feet still aren't 100% comfortable, but she is on soft ground and doesn't have to do anything. She's a good weight and is eating ok, I think.

They don't have an indoor shelter, but she will be rugged and they have lots of hedges etc. But she is looking very switched off, doesn't really want my apples and I'm wondering whether to call it a day for her before she struggles her way through a cold wet windy winter, to maybe get more and more ill next year.

She gave me some of the best years of riding, and I will look after her for as long as it takes; but I will not see her suffer and am comfortable with giving her a good end. But it feels a bit too soon just yet? Any tips on making sure she's getting some quality of life still?

Better a week too early than a day too late. We've often had animals pts at this time of year on a nice sunny day with a belly full of treats rather than go into winter knowing that there may be problems ahead. Nobody enjoys the cold dark days of mud (apart from my son who claims to not like summer!).

Is there any chance of putting up some stables or a shelter ?

Thanks; no chance unfortunately. There is a stable available for illness but it's away from the others so only in an emergency. I'm looking around for somewhere else but this place is pretty perfect really.

@ChangeEmailAddress I'm definitely on board with that. It's hard when they can't tell you, isn't it?!

I took the decision in July. It was fairly spur of the moment, I’m so fecking sad about it but it was the right thing.

The minute you start to think it, it’s usually time.

Mine was 26, EMS, but what did for her was a hind lameness that got suddenly worse. She was already retired on bute.

Another here to say better a week too early than a day too late. I let my old boy go at the end of one summer when I could see he was starting to slow down. I didn't want him to struggle through winter and end up being forced to make the decision in an emergency. As has been said, if you're starting to think it, it's probably time. I'm sorry, it's so hard.

Thank you. I know, it will be utterly devastating. As you said, you know it's for the best, but it's still one of the hardest things we'll ever do :(